Vacuum nozzle

ABSTRACT

A nozzle affixable to the line from a vacuum source and adapted for use in evacuating thin film packages containing food products such as meats, cheeses, and the like. The nozzle comprises an elongated cylindrical tube terminating at one end in means for connecting it to a vacuum line, and terminating at the other end in a hollow valve element. The tube is mounted in a housing, which terminates at its forward end in a nozzle tip. A portion of the inside surface of the nozzle tip is configured to serve as a seat for the hollow valve element. The nozzle tip has at least one perforation, one end of which forms an opening in the exterior surface of the nozzle tip and the other end of which forms an opening in the interior surface of the nozzle tip rearwardly of said seat. The tube is shiftable, with respect to the housing, between an open position wherein the hollow valve element is spaced from the seat portion of the nozzle tip and a closed position wherein the hollow valve element abuts the seat portion of the nozzle tip. Means are provided to bias the tube to its closed position.

Ulliifld States Patent 1 Worline I541 VACUUM NOZZLE [75] Inventor: Paul W. Worline, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Acraloc Corporation, Oak Ridge,

Tenn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 96,940

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,197 2/1938 Humason ..25l/347 X 232,003 9/1880 Collins ..251/340 X 3,527,018 9/1970 Jahnke ..53/112 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 743,261 l/l956 Great Britain m, ..53/9

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. AttorneyMelville, Strasser, Foster & Hoffman [57] ABSTRACT A nozzle affixable to the line from a vacuum source and adapted for use in evacuating thin film packages containing food products such as meats, cheeses, and the like. The nozzle comprises an elongated cylindrical tube terminating at one end in means for connecting it to a vacuum line, and terminating at the other end in a hollow valve element. The tube is mounted in a housing, which terminates at its forward end in a nozzle tip. A portion of the inside surface of the nozzle tip is configured to serve as a seat for the hollow valve element. The nozzle tip has at least one perforation, one end of which forms an opening in the exterior surface of the nozzle tip and the other end of which forms an opening in the interior surface of the nozzle tip rearwardly of said seat. The tube is shiftable, with respect to the housing, between an open position wherein the hollow valve element is spaced from the seat portion of the nozzle tip and a closed position wherein the hollow valve element abuts theseat portion of the nozzle tip. Means are provided to bias the tube to its closed position.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHARZ'IIBB 3,7 2,55

lNVENTOR/S PAUL W. WOR Ll NE BY ga ir rzq strs VACUUM NOZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The invention relates to a nozzle, and more particularly to a nozzle for use in evacuating flexible packages containing items to be vacuum packed such as food products and the like.

'2. Description of the Prior Art While the nozzle of the present invention may be used for evacuating any type of flexible package, it will be described (for purposes of an exemplary showing) with respect to the vacuum packaging of food products. In supermarkets and grocery stores it is the practice today to sell to the consumer food products in prepackaged form. Typically, fresh and smoked meats, cheeses and the like are cut or otherwise processed and wrapped in a clear plastic material such as Saran or Polyethylene.

It is well known that it is preferred to evacuate the clear plastic bag or package containing the food product so that the product retains a fresh appearance. For example, in the absence of such a vacuum treatment, red meats begin to discolor quickly and turn a darker hue. Similarly, smoked meats such as ham or the like lose their fresh pink color and become dull and faded in appearance. As a consequence, food products which have not been vacuum treated rapidly become unattractive to the customer.

It has been found that this discoloration or change of appearance of the food product is due primarily to the action of bacteria which has been sealed into the package and which thrives in the air trapped therein. Since few microorganisms can survive in a vacuum, the food products will retain their appearance if vacuum packed.

As a consequence, it is common practice to provide a line from a vacuum source terminating in a nozzle member. The nozzle member is adapted to be inserted in the plastic package containing the food product. The plastic package is held securely about the nozzle and the air within the package is withdrawn. The package is thereafter sealed, ahead of the nozzle, by appropriate means and the nozzle is withdrawn. In some instances, a shrinkable plastic packaging film is used. When such packages are evacuated and sealed, they are then subjected to a heat treatment which causes the package to shrink and to fit tightly about the product without wrinkles.

Prior art workers have developed a number of different nozzles for evacuating food product packages. However, such nozzles have tended to be complex in nature and difiicult to clean. Frequently, the tube portion of the nozzle, through which the vacuum is drawn, has had a 90 bend therein. This configuration has not only added to the sanitary cleaning problem, but also has encouraged the phenomenon of drip-back."

The phenomenon of drip-back has been one of the major problems in connection with prior art nozzles. During use, fats and other contaminants, as well as oil from the line and the like, tend to accumulate in the nozzle. This foreign material has a tendancy to drip back onto the product in the package being evacuated. This, of course, leads to an unsanitary condition. In addition, the nozzle might take in juices or particles from a contaminated package and thereafter contaminate subsequent packages.

To overcome drip-back, prior art workers have developed evacuating nozzles having a second vacuum system adapted to remove the contaminants. Such nozzles, however, are even more complex in nature and have not proven to be entirely satisfactory or sanitary.

In addition to the above, prior art nozzles have also been characterized by the lack of a positive release or means for closing the nozzle. When the evacuation process is being carried on in a cold room or the like (which may be at about 34), it is not uncommon for certain of the contaminates (such as fats and the like) to tend to solidify in the nozzle, causing the nozzle valve to stick. As a consequence, it is frequently necessary to shake the nozzle in order to close the nozzle valve. This not only causes wear on the valve parts, but also increases the chances of drip-back.

The present invention is directed to an improved evacuating nozzle which is characterized by a straight passage through which the vacuum is drawn, a positive shut-off means and a configuration which prevents drip back. The nozzle of the present invention is comprised of a small number of parts which may be readily disassembled, cleaned and reassembled, without tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The evacuating nozzle of the present invention comprises a rectilinear vacuum tube terminating at one end in a fitting for attachment to a vacuum line and at the other end in a hollow valve element. The vacuum tube is slidably mounted in a housing. That end of the vacuum tube, adapted to be attached to a vacuum line, extends beyond one end of the housing. The other end of the housing terminates in a nozzle tip, the inside surface of which serves as a seat for the hollow valve element.

The nozzle tip has at least one passage therethrough. One end of the passage terminates in an opening in the exterior surface of the nozzle tip and the other end of the passage terminates in an opening in the interior surface of the nozzle tip. The opening in the interior surface of the nozzle tip is located behind that portion of the interior surface which serves as a valve seat. As a consequence, drip-back is precluded.

The slidable vacuum tube is shiftable within the housing between a closed or valve-seated position and an open or valve-open position. Means are provided to positively bias the vacuum tube to its closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The nozzle of the present invention comprises an elongated cylindrical vacuum tube, indicated at 1 in FIGS. 1 and 4. The rearward end of the vacuum tube may be provided with means for connection to the line from a vacuum source. This connecting means may take any suitable form. For purposes of an exemplary showing, the rearward end of the tube 1 is illustrated as having a portion 2 of reduced diameter and provided with external threads 3. The threaded portion 3 is adapted to be engaged in a conventional threaded coupling on the end of the vacuum line. The forward end 4 of the vacuum tube is internally threaded for a short distance, as shown at 5. The purpose for the threads 5 will be described hereinafter.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, a valve element is generally indicated at 6. The valve element 6 comprises a body having a nose portion 7 with a rounded spherical radiused forward end or tip 8, a laterally extending annular flange portion 9 and a neckportion 10 provided with external threads 11. The neck portion 10 is adapted to be engaged in the forward end of the vacuum tube 1 by the interengagement of threads 5 and 11. The peripheral surface of the annular flange portion 9 may, if desired, be knurled to aid in the engagement and disengagement of the valve element from the vacuum tube for purposes of cleaning. The valve element has a longitudinally extending axial perforation 12 therethrough. One end of the perforation opens at the rounded end 8 of the nose portion 7. The other end of the perforation communicates with the interior of the vacuum tube 1.

The vacuum tube-valve element assembly is adapted to be received in a housing 13. While the housing 13 may take any suitable exterior configuration, for purposes of an exemplary showing it is illustrated as comprising an elongated member of circular cross section having a body portion 14 tapering slightly toward its rearward end. The rearward end flares outwardly as at 15, and in similar fashion the forward end 16 flares outwardly. Thus, the exterior configuration of the housing 13 is such as to be conveniently gripped by the hand.

The housing 13 has a'longitudinal perforation extending therethrough and generally indicated at 17.

The perforation 17 has various portions of differing diameters. The first portion, near the rearward end of the housing, is indicated at 17a. This portion has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the vacuum tube 1 so that there is a sliding fit between this portion of the housing 13 and the vacuum tube. A second portion 17b follows the portion 17a, but is of a slightly larger diameter. Therefore, an annular shoulder 18 is formed between portions 17a and 17b. Yet another portion 17c extends forwardly from the portion 17b and is again of a slightly larger diameter. The diameter of the portion 170 is slightly larger than the diameter of the flange portion 9 of the hollow valve element 6. An annular shoulder 19 is formed between portions 17b and 170. A final portion, 17d extends from the portion 170 through the forward end 16 of the housing. The portion 17d has a larger diameter than the portion 17c and is internally threaded as at 20, for purposes hereinafter described. An annular tapered shoulder 21 is formed between the portions 17c and- 17d.

A nozzle tip is generally indicated in the FIGURES at 22. The nozzle tip comprises a body portion 23 and a neck portion 24 of reduced diameter. A flat annular surface 25 is formed between the body portion and the neck portion of the nozzle. The neck portion of the nozzle has exterior threads 26. As can be readily seen in FIG. 4, the exterior threads 26 are adapted to cooperate with the interior threads 20 of the housing whereby the nozzle tip may be removably affixed to the forward end of the housing. The flat forward face 16a of the forward end 16 of the housing is adapted to abut the flat annular surface 25 of the nozzle tip when the noule tip is affixed to the housing.

The body portion 23 of the nozzle tip is provided with a forwardly extending portion 27 terminating in a flat circular surface 28. The surface 28 may serve as a supporting surface for the nozzle, when the nozzle is not in use. The forwardlyextending portion 27 is surrounded by an annular groove 28a. The remainder of the body portion 23 of the nozzle tip is rounded to conform generally to the flared forward end 16 of the housing. This rounded configuration of the forward end of the housing and the nozzle tip assures that the nozzle cannot snag or rip the package material when inserted thereinto.

The nozzle tip 22 has a conical depression 29 therein, as can most clearly be seen in FIG. 3. The conical depression 29 extends through the neck portion 24 and into thebody portion 23. The lower portion 29a of the conical depression 29 is adapted to serve as a hair line seat for the rounded nose 8 of the valve element 6.

Finally, the nozzle tip has a number of passages extending therethrough. While the number of passages does not constitute a limitation on the present invention, for purposes of an exemplary showing the nozzle tip (FIG. 2) is illustrated as having four such passages at 31 through 34. The passages 31 through 34 are evenly spaced about the nozzle tip and extend from the annular groove 280 through that portion of the conical surface 29 which lies above the seat portion 29a.

FIG. 4 illustrates the nozzle of the present invention in fully assembled form. As shown, the hollow valve element 6 is threadedly engaged in the forward end of the vacuum tube 1. The vacuum tube 1, in turn, is slidably mounted in the housing 13. That portion of the vacuum tube 1 which lies in the portion 17a of the housing perforation 17 may be provided with an annular groove 35, adapted to receive an O-ring 36. As a consequence, there is a fluid tight seal between the vacuum tube and the interior surface 17a of the housmg.

Since the vacuum tube is slidably mounted in the housing, it will be readily seen that the nose 8 of the hollow valve element may be shifted toward and away from the surface 29a of the nozzle tip. It will be immediately apparent that if the vacuum tube-valve element assembly is in its open position, wherein the valve element nose 8 is spaced from the conical surface 29a, air may be drawn through the nozzle tip perforations 31 34, the hollow valve element perforation 12 and through the vacuum tube 1, when a vacuum is applied to the nozzle from a vacuum source. On the other hand, when the vacuum tube-valve element assembly is in its closed or seated position (as illustrated in FIG. 4), contact between the rounded spherical radiused, forward end 8 and the conical surface 29a, providing a hair line seat or tangential seal, will effectively close the nozzle.

In the nozzle of the present invention, means are provided to positively bias the vacuum tube-valve element assembly toward its closed or seated position. This means is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 and comprises the compression spring 37. The compression spring surrounds the vacuum tube 1 and is located in portions 17b and 170 of the housing perforation 17. The rearward end of the compression spring abuts the annular shoulder 18 in the housing. The forward end of the compression spring abuts the annular flange portion 9 of the hollow valve element. Thus, under normal circumstances, the nozzle of the present invention will be maintained in closed condition by the spring 37. The rearward movement of the vacuum tube-valve element assembly, against the action of spring 37, is restricted by the interaction of the annular flange portion 9 of the valve element and the shoulder 19 in the housing.

In use, the nozzle is affixed to a line from a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump or the like, and the vacuum source is actuated. The nozzle is then inserted in a plastic bag or package containing the product to be packaged and the neck of the package is firmly gripped about the housing 13. The vacuum tube-valve element assembly is then caused to move to its unseated position, either by holding the housing 13 in position and pulling rearwardly on the vacuum tube-valve element assembly, or by holding the vacuum tube-valve element assembly and shoving the housing forwardly. The annular groove 28a prevents the bag or package material from being drawn against and closing the openings 31-34. Once the package has been evacuated, it then may be appropriately sealed by any one of a number of well known means. Thereafter, the vacuum tube-valve element assembly may be returned to its seated position by relative movement of it and the housing, whereby to close the nozzle.

The spring 37 serves as a positive means to close the nozzle of the present invention. It will be readily apparent from FIG. 4 that the spring 37 is protected from any fats, oils or other contaminants which may enter the nozzle. Since the valve element seats ahead of the openings of perforations 31 through 34 in the conical surface 29, any contaminants which may be located in the valve element or the vacuum tube cannot drip back through perforations 31 through 34. Additionally, since the vacuum passage comprising the vacuum tube 1 and the perforation 12 in the valve element 6 is straight, the tendency for the accumulation of contaminants in the nozzle is minimized. Any contaminants which may be present in these elements will be immediately withdrawn during the next evacuation step. Furthermore, it will be noted that the nozzle comprises a minimum of parts, which may be readily disassembled and easily cleaned.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit of it. For example, it is within the spirit of the invention to provide the vacuum tube 1 and valve element 6 as a single unitary structure. Furthermore, an annular groove and an O-ring could be provided in the flange portion 9 of the valve element to make a seal with the portion 170 of the housing perforation.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A nozzle for use in evacuating thin film packages and the like, said nozzle comprising an elongated tube having a forward end and a rearward end, an attachment means at said rearward tube end for connection to a line from a vacuum source, a valve element at said forward end of said tube, said valve element having an axial perforation therethrough communicating with said tube and a rounded, spherical radiused, forward end, an elongated housing having a forward end, a rearward end and an axial perforation therethrough, said tube and valve element comprising an assembly being slidably mounted in fluid-tight fashion in said housing perforation with said rearward tube end extending beyond said rearward end of said housing, a nozzle tip at said forward end of said housing, said nozzle tip having an inside surface a portion of which comprises a conical depression the lower portion thereof providing a hair line seat and tangential seal for the rounded, spherical radiused forward end of said valve element, said tube-valve element assembly being shiftable with respect to said housing between a nozzle open position, wherein said valve element is spaced from said seat, and a nozzle closed position, wherein said valve element abuts said seat, means to bias said tube-valve element assembly to said nozzle closed position, said nozzle tip having at least one passage therethrough, one end of said passage forming an opening in the exterior surface of said nozzle tip, the other end of said passage forming an opening in said inside surface of said nozzle tip at a position spaced from said hair line seat in a direction toward. said rearward end of said housing,

whereby when said tube-valve element assembly is in said nozzle closed position, said opening in said inside surface of said nozzle tip lies rearwardly of said forward end of said valve element.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle tip is removably affixed to said forward end of said housing.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said axial perforation in said housing has a first portion adjacent said rearward end of said housing of a diameter such asto receive said tube with a sliding fit, the remainder of said perforation being of greater diameter, an annular shoulder being formed within said housing between said first portion and said remainder of said housing perforation, an annular flange located on the forward end of said tube-valve element assembly, said means for biasing said assembly to said nozzle closed position comprising a compression spring surrounding said assembly, one end of said spring abutting said annular shoulder and the other end of said spring abutting said annular flange.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve element comprises an elongated body having said axial perforation extending therethrough, the forward end of said body being adapted to cooperate with said hair line seat, the rearward end of said body being removably affixed to said forward end of said tube.

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said axial perforation in said housing has a first portion adjacent said rearward end of said housing of a diameter such as to receive said tube with a sliding fit, the remainder of said perforation being of greater diameter, an annular shoulder being formed within said housing between said first portion and said remainder of said housing perforation, an annular flange located on said valve element body, said means for biasing said tube-valve element assembly to said nozzle closed position comprising a compression spring surrounding said tube, one

end of said spring abutting said shoulder and the other end of said spring abutting said annular flange.

6. The structure claimed in claim wherein that portion of said tube lying within said first portion of said housing perforation has an annular notch, an O-ring in said notch whereby to form a slidable fluid-tight seal between said tube and said first portion of said housing perforation.

7. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said noz- 

1. A nozzle for use in evacuating thin film packages and the like, said nozzle comprising an elongated tube having a forward end and a rearward end, an attachment means at said rearward tube end for connection to a line from a vacuum source, a valve element at said forward end of said tube, said valve element having an axial perforation therethrough communicating with said tube and a rounded, spherical radiused, forward end, an elongated housing having a forward end, a rearward end and an axial perforation therethrough, said tube and valve element comprising an assembly being slidably mounted in fluid-tight fashion in said housing perforation with said rearward tube end extending beyond said rearward end of said housing, a nozzle tip at said forward end of said housing, said nozzle tip having an inside surface a portion of which comprises a conical depression the lower portion thereof providing a hair line seat and tangential seal for the rounded, spherical radiused forward end of said valve element, said tube-valve element assembly being shiftable with respect to said housing between a nozzle open position, wherein said valve element is spaced from said seat, and a nozzle closed position, wherein said valve element abuts said seat, means to bias said tube-valve element assembly to said nozzle closed position, said nozzle tip having at least one passage therethrough, one end of said passage forming an opening in the exterior surface of said nozzle tip, the other end of said passage forming an opening in said inside surface of said nozzle tip at a position spaced from said hair line seat in a direction toward said rearward end of said housing, whereby when said tube-valve element assembly is in said nozzle closed position, said opening in said inside surface of said nozzle tip lies rearwardly of said forward end of said valve eLement.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle tip is removably affixed to said forward end of said housing.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said axial perforation in said housing has a first portion adjacent said rearward end of said housing of a diameter such as to receive said tube with a sliding fit, the remainder of said perforation being of greater diameter, an annular shoulder being formed within said housing between said first portion and said remainder of said housing perforation, an annular flange located on the forward end of said tube-valve element assembly, said means for biasing said assembly to said nozzle closed position comprising a compression spring surrounding said assembly, one end of said spring abutting said annular shoulder and the other end of said spring abutting said annular flange.
 4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve element comprises an elongated body having said axial perforation extending therethrough, the forward end of said body being adapted to cooperate with said hair line seat, the rearward end of said body being removably affixed to said forward end of said tube.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said axial perforation in said housing has a first portion adjacent said rearward end of said housing of a diameter such as to receive said tube with a sliding fit, the remainder of said perforation being of greater diameter, an annular shoulder being formed within said housing between said first portion and said remainder of said housing perforation, an annular flange located on said valve element body, said means for biasing said tube-valve element assembly to said nozzle closed position comprising a compression spring surrounding said tube, one end of said spring abutting said shoulder and the other end of said spring abutting said annular flange.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein that portion of said tube lying within said first portion of said housing perforation has an annular notch, an O-ring in said notch whereby to form a slidable fluid-tight seal between said tube and said first portion of said housing perforation.
 7. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said nozzle tip is removably affixed to said forward end of said body.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 7 wherein said nozzle tip has a plurality of said passages therethrough, each of said passages forming an opening in said inside surface of said nozzle tip spaced from said hair line seat in a direction toward said rearward end of said housing. 